• The objectives of this study were to measure litterfall production of the four
floodplain forest types and to analyze the relationship between litterfall (forest type,
dominant species, and organic fractions) and flood pulses.

• Litterfall production was measured in two mono-specific stands of Salix
humboldtiana or Tessaria integrifolia, respectively, and two
mixed forests dominated by A. inundata or Nectandra
angustifolia, during 1998 and the 2000–2002 periods.

• Mono-specific stands presented similar productivities (6.8 and 6.5 Mg dry matter
ha−1y−1, respectively), but differed significantly from the two
other. The highest litterfall production was obtained during the large flood that occurred
during 1998, decreasing later throughout the study period. Leaves were the dominant
fraction of litterfall, followed by branches, flowers, and fruits.

• Only S. humboldtiana, T. integrifolia and A.
inundata forests showed distinct patterns of litterfall production, depending
on the flooding pulse. N. angustifolia did not show a distinctive
litterfall pattern.

• The forests studied here presented patterns of litter production associated with the
flood pulse according to its location along a topographic gradient, that controls the
litter productivity of these forests.